University of Nottingham spinout TTPi secures £340k to enhance electric vehicle technology

The Thinking Pod Innovations (TTPi), a spinout from the University of Nottingham, has successfully secured £340,000 in its inaugural investment round to advance its innovative power electronics technology aimed at reducing the environmental impact and cost of electric vehicles.

Founded in 2017, TTPi has been developing this technology in collaboration with the University of Nottingham to increase the efficiency and range of electric cars. Until now, the company has been supported by grants from various bodies including Innovate UK and UKRI, as well as income from commercial development agreements with several partners.

The fresh investment, sourced from academics in the field of power electronics, the University of Nottingham, and private sources such as friends and family, marks the company’s first venture into external equity funding. This significant financial injection will enable TTPi to commercialise its compact, lighter, and more efficient power converters and motor drive systems, which are crucial for electric vehicles and other dynamic industrial processes that depend on electricity.

David Whelan, the chairman of TTPi, praised the robust support from the academic community and personal networks, reflecting strong confidence in the company’s future and its technological developments. “We believe this technology and the products it supports will make a real difference in the transition to net-zero carbon emissions across multiple industrial sectors,” he stated.

Prof Lee Empringham, a pivotal figure at TTPi and a member of the Power Electronics Machines and Control (PEMC) Research Institute, highlighted the practical applications of their technology in electric vehicles, where it helps to manage different voltage requirements efficiently. “Industry is turning to electricity to meet the environmental challenges facing the planet and power electronics is the backbone of our increasingly electrified world,” he explained.

The new funds will be used to further develop TTPi’s DC-to-DC modular converter unit for electric vehicles, as well as to expand the team, and to create commercial licence agreements and patents. With a growing demand for more compact and efficient power electronics, the market potential for TTPi’s innovations is vast, projected to increase significantly in the coming years.

The company also announced the formation of a new advisory board, which includes Professor Jon Clare, Emeritus Professor of Power Electronics at the University of Nottingham, Dr Simon Hart, an Honorary Associate Professor specializing in the Electrification of Transportation, and Riona Armesmith, CTO at magniX.

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